UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The summer of 2016 will see an expansion of the Student Transitional Experiences Program (STEP), an optional summer program designed for students making the junior-year transition to University Park from another Penn State campus.
STEP offers students the opportunity to maintain academic progress in their major while learning about the campus and meeting other students making the same transition. Students become eligible for the program when they are approved for entrance to their major at University Park. Participating colleges for summer 2016 include the College of Engineering, the College of Health and Human Development, and the Smeal College of Business.
"The STEP program was a great opportunity to meet new people in a similar position to me," said Victoria Marwick, a Smeal College of Business STEP student. "The summer offered an easy transition to learn how my major worked and find my way around campus. It was a great experience and I was better prepared for the fall semester."
Students in STEP are required to take two courses for a total of six to seven credits. They select one “anchor” course in their major and add another course from a selected list of courses. Each of the participating colleges has its own STEP “pride” — a group of students taking the same classes in their major. Students are also required to participate in the Professional Opportunities (STEP PRO) noncredit seminar, which provides information about internships, career planning, study abroad, job opportunities and undergraduate research at University Park.
To complement the academic program, STEP “pride” mentors offer co-curricular activities to allow students to socialize and learn about on-campus student services. The relaxed summer atmosphere also allows students to connect with faculty and staff to have conversations about their academic future.
Additional STEP benefits include a $1,000 Provost’s Award given to all students who are enrolled in this unique summer program.
Since its inception in summer 2009, close to 180 students have gone through STEP.To learn more about the STEP program visit summersession.psu.edu/step.
The STEP program is administered by the Office for Summer Session, a unit within Penn State Undergraduate Education. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.